There’s a lot going on in the Toyota off-roader space. We had all-new 2024 Tacoma and 2024 Land Cruiser vehicles launch this year. The 2025 Toyota 4Runner should be arriving soon. We’re eagerly awaiting developments on Toyota’s Electric Truck. And Toyota’s CALTY design firm just unveiled a radical, futuristic new concept vehicle, the Baby Lunar Cruiser.
Here’s what you need to know about it.
What is CALTY?
CALTY is Toyota’s North American design firm. It’s based in Southern California and Ann Arbor, Michigan. It was founded in 1973. It has produced some notable cars, like the 1978 Toyota Celica. It also worked on the 2024 Tacoma and the 2024 Land Cruiser designs.
What is The Baby Lunar Cruiser concept?
It’s a concept to commemorate CALTY’s 50th anniversary. It fuses design cues from the old FJ40 Land Cruiser with a futuristic lunar exploration vehicle. Toyota says it draws inspiration from the actual Lunar Cruiser that Toyota is developing with the Japanese Aerospace Exploration Agency.
Does The Baby Lunar Cruiser preview an upcoming vehicle?
Short answer: no. The Baby Lunar Cruiser is a “we’re excited about the distant future” concept vs. an imminent preview of an upcoming Toyota product. But it may have more relevance than the wearable Nissan GT-R.
The FJ40 is likely to be a design inspiration for future Toyota vehicles. Toyota recently unveiled a Compact Cruiser EV concept, which may end up becoming a combustion car, electric car or both.
We’re probably a ways off from a vehicle with a protruding glass canopy and dual joysticks for controls. But features like airless off-road tires, the retro Toyota script grille housing modern tech and MOLLE panels could make it to Toyota vehicles in the relatively near future.
